Blue Chagall wins Wickerr Stakes

Benefitting from a perfect trip fashioned by jockey David Flores, longshot Blue Chagall charged to the lead in the upper stretch and went on to win the featured $80,300 Wickerr Stakes in convincing style today.

Stalking the pace while racing in fourth place on the rail, the 11-1 Blue Chagall ralled between horses turning for home, wore down pacesetting Aggie Engineer and drew out to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:34.19 for the mile over the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course.

Aggie Engineer, who was ridden by Joe Talamo, held on gamely to nose out 6-5 favored Gallant Son for second, with Riviera Cocktail fourth in the field of seven grass specialists. Withdrawn from the original line-up were A Lil Dumaani, Noble Court and Golden Balls.

Blue Chagall, a French-bred son of Testa Rossa trained by Julio Canani, earned $48,180 with his fifth victory in 22 starts for his owners, Prestonwood Racing. The five-year-old gelding also won over the Del Mar grass course last summer.

To his backers in a crowd of 14,718, Blue Chagall paid $24, $10.80 and $5.60. Aggie Engineer returned $8.40 and $4.60, while Gallant Son paid $2.60 to show.

Joel Rosario continued to be the hot rider on the Del Mar scene, booting in three winners as he pursues his second straight title at the seaside track. His winners today were Capital Account in the third, California Soldier in the fourth and Offlee Wild Boys in the eighth.